A/N: Hello again! Can I just say wow! Got a great response to my last chapter! It made me want write this chapter straight away!

Thankyou so much to AnnaMarie03, a, Bookworm6193, Bingo, PhyscoPenguan64, the newest daughter, BabyyKayy562 and BbyKaykez.5 for reviewing!

Bookworm6193- I got angry at Paul too! And I'm the one writing it! Don't worry, it will get better!

PhyscoPenguan64- I love all your comments! I had to make it that Amos and Leah haven't met so that part of the story makes sense! Hope you enjoy Paul's little snippet!

the newest daughter- lots of things are going to change, for better and worse! You'll get to meet Embry's imprint soon, maybe the next chapter?

READ THE A/N AT THE BOTTOM PLEASE!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except my own characters.

Chapter 3: That Split Second Decision

Paul's POV

Shit. I messed up. How could I have been so mean to Maiyah? I had made her cry. I was a horrible imprint. I sat outside her house after taking her home and listened to her cry. I should have gone in and comforted her, told her that I wasn't mad, I just didn't understand. But I couldn't go in. I was scared that she wouldn't want to see me.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed with her school report, but to tell her that I was just made everything ten times worse. It was just a shock to discover that she failed two subjects. I knew that she always struggled with school, but to not let anyone know that she needed help was just difficult to understand. Worst of all, she was too similar to how I was at school. I didn't want the teachers looking down on her the way they had done to me, I knew how much it hurt to always be the brunt of their jokes of how stupid I was and I didn't want Maiyah to hurt like that, I had to protect her from it.

My heart was telling me to go inside, to tell Maiyah that I was sorry for what I said, but my mind told me no. If I went in now, she would think she could get away with it, she needed to learn and if it meant being separate for a while then so be it.

I sighed as Embry came wandering up the path with a dazed look on his face. He was lucky, he had found someone of his age straight away. It would be easy for him to just go into a relationship with her. Things with Maiyah were tricky. I didn't want to say anything to Maiyah or make any moves because I didn't know how she felt. I might still be a big brother and best friend to her, but for me, I was head over heels in love with her.

"Hey man" breathed Embry sitting on the porch step next to me, "why didn't you tell me imprinting was this good? She's amazing"

"I always told you, you just never listened" I said trying not to snap, "so what's she called?"

"Sadie Cooper. Her sister's in Maiyah's year apparently. But Sadie, she's just, wow, she's funny and smart and just wonderful" he breathed, going off in his own world for a moment, "she's letting me take her out on a date next week"

"You move fast" I snorted. Embry had never been that upfront with a girl, he always used to take it slow.

"I couldn't stop myself from asking" he sighed, grinning at the sky, "so why are you sitting out here? Isn't Maiyah inside?"

"Yeah, but I hurt her" I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face.

"You what?" yelled Embry. My eyes widened.

"No, I didn't hit her or anything, just chill" I said quickly, "I kind of told her I was really disappointed in her"

"What? Why? She's a great person. How could you say that to her?" said Embry, his brotherly defences instantly going up.

"She's failing Maths and German and her grades are low in lots of other subjects" I sighed.

"So? Not everyone is good at academic things, you should know that, I mean you were useless at school" said Embry making me feel even worse than I already did.

"Yeah but I don't want Maiyah to go through what I did. She might act all tough around the pack but she's not, not really, she just doesn't want to be picked on by people who think they're better than her. But the thing is, she's better than everyone else because she's strong, and funny, and so beautiful, and she cares about other people more than she does herself but no one gives her the credit she deserves and now I've messed everything up because I couldn't keep my big mouth shut" I couldn't stop the ranting once I'd started and I could feel the angry tremors rocking me. I looked over at Embry who was staring open mouthed as I raged on.

"Dude, you love her, huh?" he asked, his eyes still staring at me in shock. I swallowed self consciously. I hadn't actually got round to telling anyone that I was in love with Maiyah, and I'd just gone and blurted it out to her brother.

"Yeah" I said quietly, hoping he didn't try and kill me there and then.

"Well, if you apologise I'm sure she'll forgive you" said Embry smiling, "and just to let you in on a little secret, I think Maiyah has a thing for you too"

"W-what? Really?" I choked out. I couldn't believe what Embry said was true. Maiyah never acted differently around me and I didn't want to do anything just in case I ended up pushing her away.

"Hey, I'm not saying anything else" he laughed, pulling me to my feet, "now get inside and apologise before I kick you out"

I followed Embry into the house. He flopped on the couch and started texting Sadie. I sighed and made my way up the stairs to Maiyah's room. I stopped outside the door and heard Maiyah's soft breathing. She must have fallen asleep. I crept inside and over to Maiyah's bed where I crouched down. She looked so peaceful when she slept. I couldn't help but smile as she let out a soft sigh but then my smile faltered as I noticed the redness around her eyes and the pale streaks on her cheeks. Those tears were my fault. I softly stroked her cheek with my thumb and chuckled when Maiyah mumbled and tried to press her face into my hand. I cupped her cheek in my palm and sighed, wishing that she was mine.

"Maiyah" I whispered, softly, "wake up squirt"

Maiyah's POV

There was something warm holding my face. It felt so nice and reminded me of Paul. I just wished he could be mine. I cracked my eyes open and felt my heart jolt as I locked my gaze with Paul's. My heart started pounding uncontrollably as I realised just how close he was to me and I found myself getting lost in the warmth of his beautiful brown eyes. I couldn't stop my gaze from flicking down to his lips. They looked to soft and, well, just kissable. My eyes widened as I realised where my train of thought was going. I would have to keep my mind in check whenever I phased.

"Maiyah? Are you ok?" he asked softly making me realise that I hadn't been listening to a word he had said.

"Sorry, what?" I whispered, trying to keep my heart rate down. I pulled myself up and sat cross legged facing where he was kneeling next to the bed.

"I just wanted to apologise, you know, for what I said earlier. I didn't really mean it, I swear, I just don't want you to have all the problems I had at school and I just want you to know that I will help you through everything and-"

"Paul, it's ok" I said cutting him off, "you don't have to worry about me, I'll be fine. I'll work hard and pull my socks up so you won't be disappointed anymore"

"What? No, Maiyah, please-"

"Paul, seriously, you meant what you said, I know that so... maybe it's just better if you go and leave me to just do my own thing" I said sharply. I knew in my heart that I didn't want him to go but if he was going to be that disappointed, then I didn't want him to see me failing anymore.

"No, you don't mean that, you can't..." he looked so heartbroken as he spoke, "I'm sorry, please, don't send me away"

I couldn't look at him anymore. It was killing me inside, the pain in my chest already building at the thought of separation from Paul. I couldn't speak. I felt the pain increase as Paul silently left.

I cried myself to sleep that night. I didn't respond to Embry when he tried to get me to eat something. I wasn't hungry. I awoke in the middle of the night to the sound of a lone wolf howling sorrowfully. It was Paul. I wrapped my arms around my chest to try and keep myself from falling apart. I vowed to do better. When I got a good mark I would show Paul. I felt sick. I had pushed him away when he was offering to help me. It was the wrong thing to do but I couldn't take it back. I raced through to the bathroom and managed to reach the toilet before heaving. I spent the rest of the night on the cold bathroom floor just wishing Paul was with me.

The next morning I felt horrible. I looked even worse than I felt. My face looked dull and my eyes were lifeless. Nothing I did made me feel any better. I trudged downstairs ready to walk to school when Embry stopped me.

"Oh, hey" I mumbled pulling on a jacket for the first time in years, I felt cold.

"Where are you going?" he asked eyeing me nervously.

"School"

"Don't you want to drive?" I looked up at him in shock.

"But I did really badly last night" I said sounding more depressed with each word.

"Hey, don't worry about it, everyone has bad subjects. You know I failed Maths too? And I think you should talk to Paul later, he really didn't mean it" said Embry pulling me into a hug.

"I said some horrible things to him" I whispered in a shaky voice. Embry stroked my hair comfortingly as I shook in his arms.

"Yeah but you didn't mean them did you?" he asked and I shook my head, "well then, just talk to him. You guys can't fall out, that's like against the laws of nature or something"

I laughed quietly and pulled away from my brother. He was right, fighting with Paul was wrong. I smiled and nodded at Embry as he handed me the keys to my truck.

"No more racing though" he called through the door as I pulled out of the driveway.

I just smiled and carried on my way to school.

The day passed slowly. I was just counting down the minutes until school would finish. After school finished I planned to run straight out and over to Paul's place. Instead I got caught up chatting with my usual crowd.

"So you got your truck back? Did Embry have an aneurism or something to make him change his mind?" laughed Toby as we stood by my truck.

"Very funny Toby" I said sarcastically, surreptitiously checking my watch for the time.

"Well he did say-"

"Toby, geez, just shut up" groaned Rachelle, smacking her head into Toby's shoulder.

I was getting more and more irritated by them. I knew it wasn't their fault but I really needed to talk to Paul.

"So Maiyah, how about now the stress of parent teacher night is out the way, me and you go out on a date some time?" said Amos with his arm around my shoulders.

"Yeah, fine"

My eyes widened in horrified shock at what had just happened. No. Freaking. Way. I said yes to Amos. Why the freaking hell did I do that? I love Paul, not Amos. Oh my god could this day get any worse?

"Yes? You finally said yes" yelled Amos triumphantly. I just nodded mutely, the horror and guilt washing through me.

"I- I err... have to go" I said clambering into my truck and revving the engine.

"How about this Saturday? I'll pick you up at 3" said Amos excitedly, his smile stretched across his face in joy. I just nodded again and sped off.

I stood outside Paul's front door not moving. I couldn't knock. I felt too guilty. Not only did I have to apologise for what I said last night, I had to tell the person I was in love with that I was going on a date with someone else. Shit.

A/N: Woah. So, Amos and Maiyah, huh? What do you think? Sorry the chapter was a bit depressing with all the Paul stuff!

Right, so recently I've been having Friday as an update day but it feels like too long, so how about Monday and Friday as update days for this story? Say mashed potato for yes and soggy cabbage for no :D and if you want two updates a week you have to promise to review lots and lots!

Anyway, please review and let me know if you like it still! More reviews mean happy me therefore better chapters :D

-Lem x